diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 544b0fe..5da3ce0 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -4,6 +4,8 @@ All notable changes to this project will be documented in this file.
 
 ## [Unreleased]
 
+## [26.3.0-rc1] - 2026-03-16
+
 ### Added
 
 - Add conversion webhook ([#114]).
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 1243c7c..b80de3d 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -2910,7 +2910,7 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "stackable-opensearch-operator"
-version = "0.0.0-dev"
+version = "26.3.0-rc1"
 dependencies = [
  "built",
  "clap",
diff --git a/Cargo.nix b/Cargo.nix
index 827dc70..272bf96 100644
--- a/Cargo.nix
+++ b/Cargo.nix
@@ -9633,7 +9633,7 @@ rec {
       };
       "stackable-opensearch-operator" = rec {
         crateName = "stackable-opensearch-operator";
-        version = "0.0.0-dev";
+        version = "26.3.0-rc1";
         edition = "2024";
         crateBin = [
           {
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index e3804e7..db44c08 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ members = ["rust/operator-binary"]
 resolver = "2"
 
 [workspace.package]
-version = "0.0.0-dev"
+version = "26.3.0-rc1"
 authors = ["Stackable GmbH <info@stackable.tech>"]
 license = "OSL-3.0"
 edition = "2024"
diff --git a/deploy/helm/opensearch-operator/Chart.yaml b/deploy/helm/opensearch-operator/Chart.yaml
index 7fe3094..ac25aeb 100644
--- a/deploy/helm/opensearch-operator/Chart.yaml
+++ b/deploy/helm/opensearch-operator/Chart.yaml
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 ---
 apiVersion: v2
 name: opensearch-operator
-version: "0.0.0-dev"
-appVersion: "0.0.0-dev"
+version: "26.3.0-rc1"
+appVersion: "26.3.0-rc1"
 description: The Stackable Operator for OpenSearch
 home: https://github.com/stackabletech/opensearch-operator
 maintainers:
diff --git a/docs/antora.yml b/docs/antora.yml
index d522680..dcbff1a 100644
--- a/docs/antora.yml
+++ b/docs/antora.yml
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 ---
 name: home
-version: "nightly"
+version: "26.3"
+prerelease: false
diff --git a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/getting_started.sh b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/getting_started.sh
index 8e8373c..67c189a 100755
--- a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/getting_started.sh
+++ b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/getting_started.sh
@@ -26,20 +26,20 @@ case "$1" in
 "helm")
 echo "Installing Operators with Helm"
 # tag::helm-install-operators[]
-helm install --wait commons-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/commons-operator --version 0.0.0-dev
-helm install --wait secret-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/secret-operator --version 0.0.0-dev
-helm install --wait listener-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/listener-operator --version 0.0.0-dev
-helm install --wait opensearch-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/opensearch-operator --version 0.0.0-dev
+helm install --wait commons-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/commons-operator --version 26.3.0-rc1
+helm install --wait secret-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/secret-operator --version 26.3.0-rc1
+helm install --wait listener-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/listener-operator --version 26.3.0-rc1
+helm install --wait opensearch-operator oci://oci.stackable.tech/sdp-charts/opensearch-operator --version 26.3.0-rc1
 # end::helm-install-operators[]
 ;;
 "stackablectl")
 echo "installing Operators with stackablectl"
 # tag::stackablectl-install-operators[]
 stackablectl operator install \
-  commons=0.0.0-dev \
-  secret=0.0.0-dev \
-  listener=0.0.0-dev \
-  opensearch=0.0.0-dev
+  commons=26.3.0-rc1 \
+  secret=26.3.0-rc1 \
+  listener=26.3.0-rc1 \
+  opensearch=26.3.0-rc1
 # end::stackablectl-install-operators[]
 ;;
 *)
diff --git a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/install_output.txt b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/install_output.txt
index 52cd670..84d67a5 100644
--- a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/install_output.txt
+++ b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/install_output.txt
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-Installed commons=0.0.0-dev operator
-Installed secret=0.0.0-dev operator
-Installed listener=0.0.0-dev operator
-Installed opensearch=0.0.0-dev operator
+Installed commons=26.3.0-rc1 operator
+Installed secret=26.3.0-rc1 operator
+Installed listener=26.3.0-rc1 operator
+Installed opensearch=26.3.0-rc1 operator
diff --git a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/opensearch-dashboards-values.yaml b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/opensearch-dashboards-values.yaml
index fe1fff2..164e4d4 100644
--- a/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/opensearch-dashboards-values.yaml
+++ b/docs/modules/opensearch/examples/getting_started/opensearch-dashboards-values.yaml
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 ---
 image:
   repository: oci.stackable.tech/sdp/opensearch-dashboards
-  tag: 3.4.0-stackable0.0.0-dev
+  tag: 3.4.0-stackable26.3.0-rc1
 serviceAccount:
   create: false
   name: simple-opensearch-serviceaccount
diff --git a/docs/modules/opensearch/pages/usage-guide/opensearch-dashboards.adoc b/docs/modules/opensearch/pages/usage-guide/opensearch-dashboards.adoc
index eb467ea..d6ca58c 100644
--- a/docs/modules/opensearch/pages/usage-guide/opensearch-dashboards.adoc
+++ b/docs/modules/opensearch/pages/usage-guide/opensearch-dashboards.adoc
@@ -13,7 +13,7 @@ A basic `values.yaml` file to deploy OpenSearch Dashboards with this chart might
 opensearchHosts: null # <1>
 image: # <2>
   repository: oci.stackable.tech/sdp/opensearch-dashboards
-  tag: 3.4.0-stackable0.0.0-dev
+  tag: 3.4.0-stackable26.3.0-rc1
 serviceAccount:
   create: false
   name: opensearch-serviceaccount # <3>
diff --git a/docs/templating_vars.yaml b/docs/templating_vars.yaml
index 91114a9..c94a1b8 100644
--- a/docs/templating_vars.yaml
+++ b/docs/templating_vars.yaml
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@ helm:
   repo_name: sdp-charts
   repo_url: oci.stackable.tech
 versions:
-  commons: 0.0.0-dev
-  secret: 0.0.0-dev
-  listener: 0.0.0-dev
-  opensearch: 0.0.0-dev
+  commons: 26.3.0-rc1
+  secret: 26.3.0-rc1
+  listener: 26.3.0-rc1
+  opensearch: 26.3.0-rc1
diff --git a/extra/crds.yaml b/extra/crds.yaml
index 89185db..73a33d0 100644
--- a/extra/crds.yaml
+++ b/extra/crds.yaml
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ spec:
             description: |-
               An OpenSearch cluster stacklet. This resource is managed by the Stackable operator for
               OpenSearch. Find more information on how to use it and the resources that the operator
-              generates in the [operator documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/opensearch/).
+              generates in the [operator documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/opensearch/).
             properties:
               clusterConfig:
                 default:
@@ -1152,9 +1152,9 @@ spec:
                     type: object
                   vectorAggregatorConfigMapName:
                     description: |-
-                      Name of the Vector aggregator [discovery ConfigMap](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/service_discovery).
+                      Name of the Vector aggregator [discovery ConfigMap](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/service_discovery).
                       It must contain the key `ADDRESS` with the address of the Vector aggregator.
-                      Follow the [logging tutorial](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/tutorials/logging-vector-aggregator)
+                      Follow the [logging tutorial](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/tutorials/logging-vector-aggregator)
                       to learn how to configure log aggregation with Vector.
                     maxLength: 253
                     minLength: 1
@@ -1167,7 +1167,7 @@ spec:
                   reconciliationPaused: false
                   stopped: false
                 description: |-
-                  [Cluster operations](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/operations/cluster_operations)
+                  [Cluster operations](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/operations/cluster_operations)
                   properties, allow stopping the product instance as well as pausing reconciliation.
                 properties:
                   reconciliationPaused:
@@ -1202,7 +1202,7 @@ spec:
                   You can also configure a custom image registry to pull from, as well as completely custom
                   images.
 
-                  Consult the [Product image selection documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/product_image_selection)
+                  Consult the [Product image selection documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/product_image_selection)
                   for details.
                 properties:
                   custom:
@@ -1254,7 +1254,7 @@ spec:
                   on role level. There is also a second form of config, which can only be configured
                   at role level, the `roleConfig`.
                   You can learn more about this in the
-                  [Roles and role group concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/roles-and-role-groups).
+                  [Roles and role group concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/roles-and-role-groups).
                 properties:
                   cliOverrides:
                     additionalProperties:
@@ -1272,7 +1272,7 @@ spec:
                           podAntiAffinity: null
                         description: |-
                           These configuration settings control
-                          [Pod placement](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/operations/pod_placement).
+                          [Pod placement](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/operations/pod_placement).
                         properties:
                           nodeAffinity:
                             description: Same as the `spec.affinity.nodeAffinity` field on the Pod, see the [Kubernetes docs](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/scheduling-eviction/assign-pod-node)
@@ -1320,7 +1320,7 @@ spec:
                         default:
                           containers: {}
                           enableVectorAgent: null
-                        description: Logging configuration, learn more in the [logging concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/logging).
+                        description: Logging configuration, learn more in the [logging concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/logging).
                         properties:
                           containers:
                             description: Log configuration per container.
@@ -1736,7 +1736,7 @@ spec:
                           Roles of the OpenSearch node.
 
                           Consult the [node roles
-                          documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/opensearch/usage-guide/node-roles) for details.
+                          documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/opensearch/usage-guide/node-roles) for details.
                         items:
                           enum:
                           - cluster_manager
@@ -1867,7 +1867,7 @@ spec:
                     description: |-
                       The `configOverrides` can be used to configure properties in product config files
                       that are not exposed in the CRD. Read the
-                      [config overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#config-overrides)
+                      [config overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#config-overrides)
                       and consult the operator specific usage guide documentation for details on the
                       available config files and settings for the specific product.
                     type: object
@@ -1879,7 +1879,7 @@ spec:
                       `envOverrides` configure environment variables to be set in the Pods.
                       It is a map from strings to strings - environment variables and the value to set.
                       Read the
-                      [environment variable overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#env-overrides)
+                      [environment variable overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#env-overrides)
                       for more information and consult the operator specific usage guide to find out about
                       the product specific environment variables that are available.
                     type: object
@@ -1890,7 +1890,7 @@ spec:
                       [PodTemplateSpec](https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/generated/kubernetes-api/v1.34/#podtemplatespec-v1-core)
                       to override any property that can be set on a Kubernetes Pod.
                       Read the
-                      [Pod overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#pod-overrides)
+                      [Pod overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#pod-overrides)
                       for more information.
                     type: object
                     x-kubernetes-preserve-unknown-fields: true
@@ -1920,7 +1920,7 @@ spec:
                           2. The allowed number of Pods to be unavailable (`maxUnavailable`)
 
                           Learn more in the
-                          [allowed Pod disruptions documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/operations/pod_disruptions).
+                          [allowed Pod disruptions documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/operations/pod_disruptions).
                         properties:
                           enabled:
                             default: true
@@ -1963,7 +1963,7 @@ spec:
                                 podAntiAffinity: null
                               description: |-
                                 These configuration settings control
-                                [Pod placement](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/operations/pod_placement).
+                                [Pod placement](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/operations/pod_placement).
                               properties:
                                 nodeAffinity:
                                   description: Same as the `spec.affinity.nodeAffinity` field on the Pod, see the [Kubernetes docs](https://kubernetes.io/docs/concepts/scheduling-eviction/assign-pod-node)
@@ -2011,7 +2011,7 @@ spec:
                               default:
                                 containers: {}
                                 enableVectorAgent: null
-                              description: Logging configuration, learn more in the [logging concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/logging).
+                              description: Logging configuration, learn more in the [logging concept documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/logging).
                               properties:
                                 containers:
                                   description: Log configuration per container.
@@ -2427,7 +2427,7 @@ spec:
                                 Roles of the OpenSearch node.
 
                                 Consult the [node roles
-                                documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/opensearch/usage-guide/node-roles) for details.
+                                documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/opensearch/usage-guide/node-roles) for details.
                               items:
                                 enum:
                                 - cluster_manager
@@ -2558,7 +2558,7 @@ spec:
                           description: |-
                             The `configOverrides` can be used to configure properties in product config files
                             that are not exposed in the CRD. Read the
-                            [config overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#config-overrides)
+                            [config overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#config-overrides)
                             and consult the operator specific usage guide documentation for details on the
                             available config files and settings for the specific product.
                           type: object
@@ -2570,7 +2570,7 @@ spec:
                             `envOverrides` configure environment variables to be set in the Pods.
                             It is a map from strings to strings - environment variables and the value to set.
                             Read the
-                            [environment variable overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#env-overrides)
+                            [environment variable overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#env-overrides)
                             for more information and consult the operator specific usage guide to find out about
                             the product specific environment variables that are available.
                           type: object
@@ -2581,7 +2581,7 @@ spec:
                             [PodTemplateSpec](https://kubernetes.io/docs/reference/generated/kubernetes-api/v1.34/#podtemplatespec-v1-core)
                             to override any property that can be set on a Kubernetes Pod.
                             Read the
-                            [Pod overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#pod-overrides)
+                            [Pod overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#pod-overrides)
                             for more information.
                           type: object
                           x-kubernetes-preserve-unknown-fields: true
@@ -2604,7 +2604,7 @@ spec:
 
                   List entries are arbitrary YAML objects, which need to be valid Kubernetes objects.
 
-                  Read the [Object overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/nightly/concepts/overrides#object-overrides)
+                  Read the [Object overrides documentation](https://docs.stackable.tech/home/26.3/concepts/overrides#object-overrides)
                   for more information.
                 items:
                   type: object
diff --git a/tests/release.yaml b/tests/release.yaml
index c877cd4..13e6d06 100644
--- a/tests/release.yaml
+++ b/tests/release.yaml
@@ -7,10 +7,10 @@ releases:
     description: Integration test
     products:
       commons:
-        operatorVersion: 0.0.0-dev
+        operatorVersion: 26.3.0-rc1
       secret:
-        operatorVersion: 0.0.0-dev
+        operatorVersion: 26.3.0-rc1
       listener:
-        operatorVersion: 0.0.0-dev
+        operatorVersion: 26.3.0-rc1
       opensearch:
-        operatorVersion: 0.0.0-dev
+        operatorVersion: 26.3.0-rc1